Download Hearing Conservation Program Administration

Hearing Conservation
Program Administration
Part 3: Audiometric Testing
Thomas W. Rimmer, ScD, CIH
Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
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Audiometric Testing
 Why is testing needed?
 Who will do the testing?
 Which employees should
be tested?
 Hearing history forms
 Scheduling
 Quality control
Audiometric test purpose
 Detect early, excessive hearing loss and take
steps to avoid more loss
 Procedure:



Baseline before noise exposure
Annual tests while noise exposure ongoing
Compare annual to baseline audiograms



At most sensitive sound frequencies
Correct for normal aging loss
Standard Threshold Shift determination
Standard Threshold Shift actions
 Notify worker in writing within 21 days
 Re-train and re-fit hearing protectors
 Change to new baseline if STS persistent
 Possibly record as occupational illness or
injury
 Possible action:

Refer for medical evaluation if ear infection
caused/aggravated by HPD
Audiometric testing choices
 Mobile testing
 Full service, may be experts
 Fast
 Inflexible
 In-house testing
 Flexible and reliable
 Requires equipment and training
 Local clinic
 Readily available
 May have good credibility
 Transportation time loss
Photo used with permission
of Audiometrics, Inc
Who should be tested
 OSHA rules


85 dBA TWA or greater
Once per week or greater?
 Beyond OSHA


ACGIH rules
More inclusive policy
Hearing history
 Why is it needed?


Medical determination of hearing loss cause
Liability avoidance
 Form to be completed at each test



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Current hearing problems
Use of hearing protectors
Non-work noise exposures
Others – family history, military exposure
Scheduling
 Baseline audiogram


Minimize possibility of temporary hearing loss
(TTS)
14 hours away from workplace
noise
 Annual audiogram
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

Any time is ok
Inclusion of possible TTS is conservative
Quality Control in Audiometry
 Consistent procedures



Instructions
Headphone placement
Employee cooperation
 Calibrated equipment


Daily and annual checking
Avoidance of un-necessary changes
 Quiet test environment
Audiometric Recordkeeping
 Duration


OSHA - duration of employment
Realistic - employment plus several years
 Format - any
 Accessibility - employees, former employees
 Privacy